Rift Articles

Columns

• Prime Server Q&A Wrap Report

  Late last week, Trion devs participated in a Rift Prime server Q&A and we've got the wrap report from the event. If you've been wondering how the whole Prime thing will be going down when it launches on March 7th, be sure to check it out.

  Posted on 02/26/2018 by Kelley Kiwi

• Community Memorials Honor Beloved Player

  On December 20th 2017, a tragic accident occurred taking the life of teenager Nikita Hedingham also known in Rift on her personally created character as Wintercharm. This heart wrenching news reached the Rift gaming community via her mother sending shock waves of disbelief and sadness into a community that is fairly tight knit especially within the dimension building sector that Wintercharm was a well-loved member.

  Posted on 01/09/2018 by Kelley Kiwi

• The 10 Best Story-Driven MMOs of All Time

  This week we’re ranking the 10 best story-driven MMOs of all time. That means we’re going to try and put numbers on feelings we all have for the narratives we play through when we’re living in these virtual worlds. It’s a tall order, and one we’re sure you’ll have some mixed emotions over. Without further ado, here are our 10 Best Story Driven MMOs of All Time.

  Posted on 10/03/2017 by William Murphy

• RIFT: Starfall Prophecy Review

  Rift’s latest expansion, Starfall Prophecy, launched just a few weeks ago. In that time, we’ve tried several souls, leveled through the four new zones, and experienced a lot of what the largest content update since Nightmare Tide has to offer. What did we think? Read on for our final review.

  Posted on 12/07/2016 by William Murphy

• One Last Look at Starfall Prophecy before Launch

  Today marks the official launch of Rift’s third expansion – Starfall Prophecy. Bringing with it new zones set on a comet hurtling through space and time, new legendary abilities, a new level cap, the new Planar Fragments system, Active Upgrades new dungeons, a new raid, Planar Assault Adventures, Fortress Sieges, and more. We spoke to Trion’s Simon Ffinch and Chris Junior one final time about the expansion as they toured us around some of the new stuff.

  Posted on 11/16/2016 by William Murphy

• MMOs for Explorers

  In this new column we’re calling The Playlist, we seek to be your MMO Spotify. We want to curate lists of games for all kinds of player types or interests. To start off, we’re going to focus on the best games out there for all kinds of explorers. If you love getting lost in a world, seeing whatever is over the next mountain, we hope to give you quite a few games to check out.

  Posted on 02/17/2016 by William Murphy

• 5 MMO Incidents that Showed Solidarity Against the Real World

  With the recent terrorist attacks in mind, I send out my condolences to all of those who lost or even have an injured loved one. In real life, we tend to stick together in such tragedies, give each other a pat on the back and help each other out of these tough times. On the other side, in the world of video games, it’s not that different, since it’s the same people in real life who play them.

  Posted on 12/07/2015 by Mostafa Hossam

• The Five Best MMOs for New Players

  Jumping into a new MMO can be an intimidating experience for even the most seasoned players, especially those who have little familiarity with MMORPGs in general. Most of us on the site play MMOs like doing so is our job, and yet there are still some times when I start up a new game, or an existing one that I haven’t touched in a while, and feel the familiar sense of panic when I see how many skills or activities are available.

  Posted on 09/28/2015 by Som Pourfarzaneh

• Can MMOs Really Do Monthly Updates?

  It's a simple fact that content creators can't produce content at a rate comparable to how quickly people consume it. This isn't just the case with video games: a two-hour movie took a lot longer than two hours to make, a book that takes you a week to read took a lot longer than a week to write, and so on.

  Posted on 10/15/2014 by Jason Winter

• Community Day Reveals New Expansion Details

  Last week, Trion opened its doors to some of its most dedicated players and invited them in for an inside look at their favorite games. They called the event “Trion Community Day 2014” and attendees have returned with a whole slew of new information on RIFT’s upcoming expansion, Nightmare Tide. This week we’re talking new zones, nightmare rifts, mentoring UP, minions, and more. Read on for all the details.

  Posted on 08/08/2014 by Christopher Coke

• Connecting Players to Virtual Worlds

  In the MMO genre I believe developers should focus on building worlds, not just games. The more developers do to create engaging settings that players grow to care about and become invested in the more enriching the experience it will be for the players. This in turn will make it more financially rewarding for the developers. Loyal customers, especially in an increasingly microtransaction dominated gaming economy, help keep games a float.

  Posted on 07/31/2014 by Robert Lashley

• Is the Patron Status Worth It?

  It’s no secret that RIFT has a generous business model. The slogan “No Tricks, No Trials, No Traps” has proven true and made the game a beacon for free-to-play design. There is a store, and Trion would sure like it if you used it, but if you don’t, there is still a whole game to explore, all the way through endgame. That raises the question: why exactly would you subscribe and is it even worth it when so much is available for free? That’s the question we’re out to answer today.

  Posted on 07/25/2014 by Christopher Coke

• Ten Hopes and Fears for Nightmare Tide

  It has been two weeks since Trion announced RIFT: Nightmare Tide. Since our announcement interview, the development team has taken to the forums and social media to tantalize us with new tidbits of information. A series of behind the scenes articles has gone up, as well as a slew of new screenshots and concept art. With all of these things in mind, it’s time we outline just what we’re hoping for – and what we’re afraid of – in the next expansion.

  Posted on 07/11/2014 by Christopher Coke

• The MMO Isn't Over - It's Evolving

  Recently, I read a piece proclaiming the MMO "era" to be over. While the genre has undergone some shifts through the years as both technology and gamers change, the genre isn’t on life support. While certain trends have held and others faded, MMOS are still being made, played, and planned. The genre is evolving, just as it evolved after 2004, and continues today. We seem to be on the verge of a new chapter right now, in fact.

  Posted on 07/07/2014 by Christina Gonzalez

• What WildStar Means for Rift

  As players settle in for patch 2.7, the wider MMO world has been buzzing with the launch of Wildstar. All across Telara, players are talking about it, sharing their opinions, their jokes, and even their fears. Today we take a look at what Wildstar means for Rift and what players should expect.

  Posted on 06/06/2014 by Christopher Coke

• Examining the F2P Updates

  Since Scott Hartsman rejoined the team as CEO in August 2013, Trion Worlds has set about returning RIFT to its prior glory with regular, meaty content updates. What's changed since then is the business model. How do RIFT's updates stack up since the free-to-play conversion? What do they tell us about the state of the game and where Trion's focus is at? Join us as we answer these questions in this week's Tripping the Rift.

  Posted on 05/23/2014 by Christopher Coke

• Five Ideas Rift Needs to Borrow for Its Next Expansion

  Welcome back to Tripping the Rift, MMORPG's bi-weekly foray into the dimensionally-torn world of Telara. It's been three years since RIFT hit store shelves and a lot has changed since then. Games are richer than they've ever been. New mechanics and systems have risen to the forefront and become expectations of any new game vying for our attention. Join us as we look forward to 2.0 and the Five Ideas RIFT Should Crib for its Next Expansion.

  Posted on 05/08/2014 by Christopher Coke

• Eyes on Endgame

  As our columnist once more approaches the end game, he casts his eyes to the options that lay ahead. What are the prospects for a new player hitting the level cap? And what does Bindings of Blood tells us about the state of RIFT as a whole? Join us as we explore the late game in Tripping the Rift: Eyes on Endgame.

  Posted on 05/01/2014 by Christopher Coke

• PVP Dimensions Review

  Welcome back to Tripping the Rift! It's been a while readers but we're back to dive into all that's interesting in Telara. This week we're heading into hostile territory to take a look at the latest exciting addition to RIFT, PVP dimensions! Are they all they're chalked up to be? We'll let you know! Not sure where to begin? We've got you covered! Buckle in and prepare for murder, mayhem, and a weapons-belt full of new gadgets to play with.

  Posted on 04/11/2014 by Christopher Coke

• The Long-Term Impact of F2P

  When RIFT first launched, the idea of going free-to-play seemed like anathema to its design. Former Executive Producer and current Trion Worlds CEO, Scott Hartsman, made it clear that F2P was not something in the cards in the year of its launch. And yet, with the changing tide of the MMO industry, RIFT made the jump and officially dropped its subscription fee last year. MMO fans are again asking the question: How sustainable is free-to-play in the long-term?

  Posted on 02/28/2014 by Christopher Coke

• How Dream Weaving Could Make You Rich

  Artifact hunting. Who doesn't love it? There is something thrilling about spotting the glimmer of the artifact's worldly star, even if you have no interest in completing collections or lucky coins. RIFT's 2.6 update has something special for artifact hunters, especially if they also love dimensions. And let's be honest, who doesn't? Today we're talking Dream Weaving, the new profession combining RIFT's two unlikeliest systems into a powerful blend that improves both. Ready? Let's dig in.

  Posted on 01/31/2014 by Christopher Coke

• 5 Things RIFT MUST Do in 2014

  Welcome back to Tripping the RIFT, MMORPG's bi-weekly column dedicated to Trion World's, RIFT. It's been a while and we've spent that time plumbing the depths of Telara to bring you the premiere column on all things ascended. This week we're looking ahead into 2014 and bringing you the five things RIFT must do to have a successful new year. Grab your foci, boys and girls, because the first wave is about to begin.

  Posted on 01/16/2014 by Christopher Coke

• Five of the Best MMOs for Soloers

  MMORPGs, just by virtue of the name, seem to require other players to enjoy the game. Yet that's not always the case. In The List today, we take a look at five MMOs that are eminently solo-able. See what you think before heading to the comments to include your favorite game.

  Posted on 11/01/2013 by Suzie Ford

• Five of the Most Unappreciated MMOs

  The MMO-space is an ever more crowded space as more and more games are released. Sometimes, that leads to great games being overlooked. In The List today, we take a look at five games that deserve more attention than they get. Check it out and then add your favorites to the comments.

  Posted on 10/11/2013 by William Murphy

• Are Seasonal Events Really Fun?

  With the recent debut of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, the first update was, naturally, a seasonal event. In our latest FFXIV column, we wonder at how much fun these types of events truly are. See what we think before lending your voice to the conversation in the comments.

  Posted on 09/11/2013 by Robert Lashley

• Returning to RIFT

  Now that Rift has officially hit free to play, it's only natural that our very own Tourist will once again darken Telara's doorways. See what he thinks of the new iteration before telling us of your experiences in Rift in the comments.

  Posted on 07/05/2013 by Christopher Coke

• A Game for a Mood

  Sometimes, the right game speaks to the right mood even if it's not a "perfect" game. In today's Devil's Advocate, we examine why that is so. See what we think before telling us your "mood game" is in the comments.

  Posted on 06/07/2013 by Victor Barreiro Jr.

• Loving Rift's Shift

  In this week's Devil's Advocate, Victor takes a look at the recent F2P announcement from Trion Worlds' Rift and why it's a good thing all around for everyone.

  Posted on 05/17/2013 by Victor Barreiro Jr.

• GW2 and Rift - More Social or Just Different?

  Back in the old days, being social in an MMO wasn't merely for fun but was a necessity. Then things changed. But the pendulum swings yet again and MMOs are becoming increasingly social out of need. In today's Social Hub, we take a look at Guild Wars 2 and Rift, two games that are bringing back old school social gaming. Check it out and then head to the comments.

  Posted on 03/23/2013 by Christina Gonzalez

• Surpassing Azeroth

  There is no question that World of Warcraft has been the top dog in the pack for many years. But we contend that Rift is beginning to beat the leader at its own game. Find out why we say that and then let us know what you think in the comments.

  Posted on 10/15/2012 by William Murphy

• There's a Storm Brewin'

  Trion Worlds and the Rift team are close to the final unveiling of the first expansion to Rift, Storm Legion. We recently had the opportunity to check out Storm Legion firsthand and have a lot to say about it. See what we've got in mind and then add your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 10/05/2012 by Som Pourfarzaneh

• Taking Down the Giant

  One of the things that inevitably happens when any new MMO is released is an endless round of comparisons to "that game", you know, The Giant (which shall remain nameless). Our own Pokket has a few thoughts to share about that particular subject so keep reading! Add your thoughts to the mix in the comments.

  Posted on 09/17/2012 by Hillary Nicole

• Telara’s Unsung Hero – Mentoring

  There are a lot of great features in Rift, many of them well-known such as the new three-faction PvP. But some great ones are often overlooked. In today's Tripping the Rift, we take a look at the mentoring system. Check it out!

  Posted on 08/03/2012 by William Murphy

• Farewell to Arms

  It is with sadness that today marks the final installment (at least for now!) of Paul Crilley's Chronicles of One Telaran. We bid a fond farewell to Caedryn the Dwarf in a terrific final article. Be sure to read it and bid your own tearful goodbyes in the comments! Godspeed, Caedryn (and Paul!).

  Posted on 07/27/2012 by Paul Crilley

• Shadefallen Towers

  Caedryn the Dwarf returns this week with tales of his adventures at Shadefallen Towers. What'd he find? Read on to find out!

  Posted on 07/20/2012 by Paul Crilley

• Content Stagnation in MMORPGs

  It's a common complaint among gamers that MMOs get old very quickly without frequent and -meaningful- updates. In today's Devil's Advocate, we take a look at that notion and offer a few thoughts. Read on!

  Posted on 07/18/2012 by Victor Barreiro Jr.

• Summerfest

  Rift players are having a blast with this season's Summerfest. In today's Chronicles of One Telaran, Caedryn the Dwarf gives his unique take on the festivities. See what you think!

  Posted on 07/13/2012 by Paul Crilley

• The Hag Strikes Back

  Just when you think that taking out werewolves will be the end of the Gloamwood area, there's a new surprise around the corner. In this week's Chronicles of One Telaran, Caedryn the Dwarf makes a return to tell us all about it. Read on!

  Posted on 07/06/2012 by Paul Crilley

• Storm Legion

  In our latest Chronicles of One Telaran, we take a look at the recently announced Rift expansion, Storm Legion. See what you think and then weigh in with your comments.

  Posted on 06/29/2012 by Paul Crilley

• Curse of the Werewolf

  Caedryn the Dwarf is back again with his latest report about all that's happening in Rift. This time, he's hot on the trail of a clan of werewolves inhabiting the Gloamwood. See what he discovered in our latest Chronicles of One Telaran.

  Posted on 06/22/2012 by Paul Crilley

• Tearfall Ruin

  In our latest Chronicles of One Telaran, we return to our regularly scheduled Caedryn the Dwarf report as he makes his way through Rift. In the latest update, Caedryn takes on Tearfall Ruin. See what he's got to say!

  Posted on 06/15/2012 by Paul Crilley

• Conquest

  In today's Chronicles of One Telaran, Caedryn the Dwarf takes the day off so we can talk about Rift's recently announced new 3-faction PvP system, Conquest. See what we've got to say and then leave your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 06/06/2012 by Paul Crilley

• It's Zombie Killin' Time

  Caedryn the Dwarf is back and he's ventured into the Rift Gloamwood location and it's time to take on everyone's favorite bad guy: The Zombie! See what transpires in Caedryn's latest adventure! Read on.

  Posted on 05/31/2012 by Paul Crilley

• Hunting the Beast

  In this week's Chronicles of One Telaran, Caedryn the Dwarf is off to continue his march through Gloamwood Pines, this time on the hunt for a freakishly large barghest. See what happens in this latest installment of our ongoing series of adventures in Rift. Enjoy!

  Posted on 05/18/2012 by Paul Crilley

• Heroes of Telara

  Caedryn the Dwarf is continuing his marauding path across Rift's Telara. In today's latest adventure blog, Caedryn and his handler run through what they call the "penultimate" phase of the War on the Golden Maw. Read on!

  Posted on 05/12/2012 by Paul Crilley

• Twice Burned

  Caedryn the Dwarf has seen some mighty interesting things in his journey through Rift, none more interesting than what he's been involved with this week. Find out what Caedryn and Fido are up to in our latest Rift column. Let us know what you think in the comments!

  Posted on 05/05/2012 by Paul Crilley

• Infernal Dawn

  Caedryn the Dwarf is still plugging away in Rift but with a whole new set of objectives with the arrival of the v1.8 "Infernal Dawn" update. See what he's discovered and then leave your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 04/27/2012 by Paul Crilley

• War of the Wanton Maw

  It's a clear fact that the fun things in life only hang around for a short time before disappearing. It's a hard fact that Caedryn the Dwarf has discovered in his latest Chronicle of One Telaran. See what he's been up to in Rift and then leave us your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 04/20/2012 by Paul Crilley

• Post-PAX East Thoughts

  Now that we are almost two weeks past PAX East, it's time to wrap up our coverage with some thoughts about the things we both saw and heard during the annual convention. Keep reading and then leave us your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 04/17/2012 by William Murphy

• Darkening Deep

  It's time for another word from Caedryn the Dwarf as he works his way through the Rift world. This time, Caedryn is on his way to the Darkening Deep, always a terrifying journey. Check it out!

  Posted on 04/13/2012 by Paul Crilley

• Gloamwood Pines

  In today's Chronicles of One Telaran, Caedryn the Dwarf has reached a milestone of sorts with his arrival in Gloamwood Pines. He's got stories to tell of his first steps in the Rift zone known for spiders and other creepy crawlies. Read on!

  Posted on 04/06/2012 by Paul Crilley

• Warfronts Pt. 2

  In this week's Chronicles of One Telaran, Caedryn the Dwarf again flexes his dwarfly muscles in the Rift warfronts. Find out what has befallen our hero in our latest edition of Chronicles of One Telaran.

  Posted on 03/30/2012 by Paul Crilley

• Warfronts

  Nothing says "MANLY"...er..."DWARFLY"...like participating in one of Rift's warfronts. Caedryn the Dwarf has done just that even though carded at the door for barely making the cut. He's got a full report in Chronicles of One Telaran: Warfronts. Read on!

  Posted on 03/23/2012 by Paul Crilley

• Parade of the Dragons

  It's hard to believe but Caedryn the Dwarf has been firing folks out of cannons during Rift's Carnival this past week. Let's just say you have to read it to believe it. Leave us a comment or two when finished!

  Posted on 03/17/2012 by Paul Crilley

• Parade of the Dragons

  As Trion Worlds kicks off part two of the Rift: Carnival of the Ascended event, our own in-game correspondent, Caedryn the Dwarf, has a few thoughts to share about what he's seen. Check out our latest Chronicles of One Telaran, always the most entertaining Rift read on the 'Net today!

  Posted on 03/09/2012 by Paul Crilley

• The Carnival of the Ascended

  The Carnival of the Ascended has begun in Rift and in today's Chronicles of One Telaran, Caedryn the Dwarf gives us the cook's tour of all the activities and a few pithy thoughts about it all. Check it out!

  Posted on 03/02/2012 by Paul Crilley

• Five Truly Innovative Game Features

  In The List today, we take a look at what we believe are five truly innovative game features from five of the most popular MMOs of today, both released and unreleased. See what you think and then leave us your comments.

  Posted on 02/27/2012 by Suzie Ford

• Overwatch Keep and Piñatas

  Caedryn the Dwarf is slowly but surely making his way through Silverwood and now has the added excitement of the Carnival of the Ascended to deal with along the way. Check out Caedryn's latest adventures in today's column. Get ready for a good chuckle and maybe even learn something quite groovy. Read on!

  Posted on 02/24/2012 by Paul Crilley

• St. Valentine’s Day

  The past week's Valentine's Day celebration was packed with activity and excitement with Trion going for the world record for most in-game marriages in 24-hours. In today's Chronicles of One Teleran, we take a look back at those momentous events. Check it out!

  Posted on 02/17/2012 by Paul Crilley

• Realm of the Fae

  Caedryn the Dwarf has finally made it to his first dungeon! Light the sparklers! In our latest Chronicles of One Telaran, we follow Caedryn on his journey into the Realm of the Fae. Read on!

  Posted on 02/10/2012 by Paul Crilley

• Chronicles - Odds and Ends

  In today's Chronicles of One Telaran, we get an inside peek at v1.7's new Soul Templates, a nifty (an quick) way to get the build you want. In addition, we gain a bit of knowledge about the history of St. Valentine's Day and how it ties into Rift. Oh really? Yes! Check it out!

  Posted on 02/03/2012 by Paul Crilley

• Chronicles - The Planes of DOOM

  In our latest Chronicles of One Telaran, we take a forward look ahead at the impending Rift v1.7 "Carnival of the Ascended" update. Included in the pithy commentary are descriptions of weddings and the Planes of DOOM! Check it out!

  Posted on 01/27/2012 by Paul Crilley

• The Mobile App

  In today's Chronicles of One Telaran, Caedryn the Dwarf continues his adventures in Rift and his 'handler', Paul Crilley, takes a crack at the Rift mobile app. He's got the skinny on all the groovy features in the app. Check it out and then tell us what you're thinking in the comments.

  Posted on 01/20/2012 by Paul Crilley

• Chronicles - The River of Souls

  In the latest adventures of Caedryn the Dwarf, we take a look at the final Rift Chronicle, The River of Souls. It's pretty much as scary as it sounds. Find out why and then leave us your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 01/13/2012 by Paul Crilley

• Greenscale’s Blight

  In today's Chronicles of One Telaran, Caedryn the Dwarf continues his epic journey in Rift by exploring the second Chronicle, Greenscale's Blight. Find out what Caedryn discovered during his time amongst the Fae. Leave us a comment or two when you're finished!

  Posted on 01/06/2012 by Paul Crilley

• Chronicles - Hammerknell

  In today's Chronicles of One Telaran, we find out that Caedryn the Dwarf has finally earned his first, albeit weird, mount AND is ready to take on the Chronicles. Caedryn describes Hammerknell in the way that only he can. Check it out and then leave us a comment or two.

  Posted on 12/29/2011 by Paul Crilley

• Slivers of a Fae Yule

  In the latest Chronicles of One Telaran, we continue the look at the Fae Yule celebrations currently ongoing in Rift. Check out what's transpired for poor Caedryn since the last time we checked in with him as he discovered that not all is bright ribbons and wrapping paper.

  Posted on 12/23/2011 by Paul Crilley

• Yule Love This

  In today's Chronicles of One Telaran, we take a look at the in-game holiday events in Rift....the one place we thought we could escape the real world. Check out 'Yule Love This' and then let us know what you think!

  Posted on 12/16/2011 by Paul Crilley

• Ember Isles

  In today's Chronicles of One Telaran, Caedryn the Dwarf discovers the mysterious Travel Stones. Following the advice of his quest giver, Caedryn takes a spin on the stones and ends up on the equally mysterious Ember Isle. Find out what happens to Caedryn on arrival. Read on!

  Posted on 12/09/2011 by Paul Crilley

• Ashes of History

  Ashes of History is one of the latest updates to Rift and in today's Chronicles of One Telaran, we take a look at the update through the eyes of Caedryn the Dwarf. Learn all about v1.5: Ashes of History and then leave us your impressions in the comments.

  Posted on 12/02/2011 by Paul Crilley

• Dragon Cults Part 2

  The Chronicles of One Telran today takes a further look at the Dragon Cults that inhabit Telara. The Abyssal, the Storm Legion and the Golden Maw fall under the microscope. Learn more about the infamous of Telara in our latest Rift feature.

  Posted on 11/25/2011 by Paul Crilley

• The Dragon Cults, Part I

  In this week's Chronicles of One Telaran, MMORPG.com's Paul Crilley examines two of the Dragon Cults: The Endless Court and The Wanton. Check out what he's got to say about these groups of baddies and then weigh in with a few of your own comments.

  Posted on 11/17/2011 by Paul Crilley

• Sanctum

  Believe it or not, MMORPG.com's Paul Crilley and his Rift character, Caedryn, have finally made it to the Guardian capitol city of Sanctum. In today's Chronicles of One Telaran, Paul and Caedryn talk about what they've seen and done while there. Read on and then leave us a couple of comments!

  Posted on 11/11/2011 by Paul Crilley

• News From the MMO-niverse

  In his latest Free Zone column, MMORPG.com's Richard Aihoshi has gathered the best news from the F2P MMO-niverse from around the web. Included in the news is Lineage II's F2P announcements, the latest layoffs and LEGO Universe shutting down. Read on!

  Posted on 11/08/2011 by Richard Aihoshi

• House Aelfwar

  MMORPG.com's Paul Crilley still isn't in Sanctum yet. There is simply too much to do in and around Silverwood. In his latest column, Paul talks about the zone's bad boys, the Aelfwar. Check Paul's very unique leveling guide to Rift and then leave us a comment or two!

  Posted on 11/03/2011 by Paul Crilley

• What I Want Beyond 1.6

  The Rift team has been hinting around for the last several weeks about big changes coming to the game beginning with the v1.6 update. In today's Tripping the Rift column, MMORPG.com Managing Editor Bill Murphy springboards from what has been said so far and into what he'd like to see beyond what is known already. Read on and then tell us what you'd like to see in Rift's future in the comments.

  Posted on 10/31/2011 by William Murphy

• Bits and Pieces

  In the latest Chronicles of One Telaran, MMORPG.com's Paul Crilley discusses the recently released Ashes of History content as well as his continuing journey towards the capital city of Sanctum.

  Posted on 10/27/2011 by Paul Crilley

• The Vigil

  In the latest Chronicles of One Telaran, MMORPG.com's Paul Crilley takes a look at the gods of the Vigil and examines what your mother told you never to talk about in public: Religion. Check out Paul's thoughts about religion in Telara and then add a few comments.

  Posted on 10/21/2011 by Paul Crilley

• Invasions

  MMORPG.com's Paul Crilley is back again for another exciting and informative look at Rift through the eyes of both player and character, in this case Caedryn the Dwarf. In this latest installment, Paul takes a look at invasions as he's adventuring in Silverwood Check out Chronicles of One Telaran and then leave us a couple of thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 10/13/2011 by Paul Crilley

• The Old Gods

  In today's Chronicles of One Telaran, MMORPG.com's Paul Crilley takes readers on a tour of the Old Gods inhabiting the Telaran realms. Caedryn the Dwarf learns all there is to know about each of the oldies...but goodies or baddies, depending on your perspective. Read more and then leave us your comments.

  Posted on 10/06/2011 by Paul Crilley

• The Best Loyalty Rewards

  With last week's launch of the Rift v1.5 "Ashes of History" update, MMORPG.com Managing Editor Bill Murphy's one decked out dwarf cleric thanks to the new veteran's rewards. Bill is awfully impressed with the rewards program implemented with Ashes and some of the ingenious rewards players can earn. He's got a few thoughts to share and then wants to hear your ideas in the comments. Read on!

  Posted on 10/03/2011 by William Murphy

• Family Values

  In the latest edition of Chronicles of One Telaran, MMORPG.com's Paul Crilley continues the story of Caedryn the Dwarf as he journeys through Telara. In Family Values, Caedryn is zapped into the future, a future that's not very nice. Read more!

  Posted on 09/29/2011 by Paul Crilley

• I Got Soul, and I Am a Soldier

  In the latest Rift: Chronicles of One Telaran, MMORPG.com's Paul Crilley continues the adventures of his dwarf warrior Caedryn. Caedryn has left the safety of the starting area and has moved into the graveyard to begin his journey of self. Read on and then let us know what you think!

  Posted on 09/22/2011 by Paul Crilley

• Caedryn Reborn

  We have a brilliant new feature for our MMORPG.com readers. Called "Chronicles of One Telaran", the column is a series of basic guides and walkthroughs told in a journal fashion by a master storyteller. Chronicles follows the adventures of one man throughout the entire game. First writer Paul Crilley presents the story of Guardian Caedryn. Later, you'll hear the exploits of an as-yet unnamed Defiant. Sit back, relax and enjoy Chronicles of One Telaran: Caedryn Reborn!

  Posted on 09/14/2011 by Paul Crilley

• PAX & The Chronicles of Telara

  At PAX, MMORPG.com Managing Editor Bill Murphy caught up with the Rift team and got an inside look at the upcoming 1.5 patch. With new "raids" geared to decked out solo players or pairs of players, The Chronicles of Telara dungeons will allow all players access to areas that might never been seen if not a member of a large group or due to a lack of time. Check out Bill's thoughts about The Chronicles of Telara and then let us know what you think in the comments.

  Posted on 09/05/2011 by William Murphy

• The Real Top 10 MMOs of 2012

  It's hard to accurately predict what will be popular in the MMO-space these days. Last week, we took a look at a 2009 piece predicting the success of certain MMOs in 2012 that...ain't gonna make it. In The List today, MMORPG.com Managing Editor dons the swami's hat and prognosticates about 2012 and what he believes will be the real success stories of the year. Read on!

  Posted on 08/23/2011 by William Murphy

• Counting on Success

  It has been nearly six months since the official launch of Trion's inaugural MMO, Rift. In the intervening months, people have been arguing about whether or not Rift is a success. In today's Riding the Rift column, MMORPG.com Associate Editor Suzie Ford takes a look at exactly that and offers a few thoughts about the issue. Check out Suzie's Tripping the Rift column and then add a few of your ideas in the comments below.

  Posted on 08/22/2011 by Suzie Ford

• Taking On the Uphill Climb

  In today's Rift column, MMORPG.com Managing Editor Bill Murphy takes a look at the upcoming months for Rift and Trion Worlds. With Star Wars: The Old Republic and Guild Wars 2 looming on the horizon, Rift developers are taking a hard look at not only maintaining the integrity of the game, but also at adding some exciting new features. Check out Bill's thoughts about Rift's next few months and then let us know what you think.

  Posted on 08/09/2011 by William Murphy

• Taking On The WoW Clone Argument

  One of the most common statements launched by so-called naysayers when speaking of Trion Worlds' Rift is that "it's a WoW clone". In a new column centered around Rift, MMORPG.com's Phil James takes a look at that statement and weighs in with his thoughts. See what Phil has to say about Rift and then be sure to let us know what you're thinking in the comments below.

  Posted on 07/25/2011 by Phil James

• Cautious Optimism and The Old Republic

  In his travels around the 'Net, Lead Writer Bill Murphy has noticed a trend among some to assign "love or hate" titles to the opinions expressed about a few games here at MMORPG.com. Particularly vocal are those who claim that MMORPG.com either loves or hates (depending on which side the writer's on) Rift and Star Wars: The Old Republic. In today's column, Bill takes on that notion and gives his take on The Old Republic and how some misconstrue cautious optimism as 'hate'. Check it out!

  Posted on 05/12/2011 by William Murphy

• A Sub-Genre?

  In the MMO-universe, there is an ever-growing library of games that neither fit the traditional MMORPG genre, nor do they fit into the "normal" subscription-based game. In today's column, MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy takes a look at today's MMOGs and ponders the expanding number of sub-genres. Let us know what you think in the comments.

  Posted on 04/21/2011 by William Murphy

• What’s Wrong With Entertainment?

  In today's MMO world, there are two sub-genres whose fans are in constant battle with one another: Theme Park vs Sandbox. We've all seen the arguments raging back and forth. In today's column, MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy tackles the issue of theme parks as entertainment and wonders why those who are waiting for THE sandbox title to emerge don't take advantage. See what you think and then lend your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 04/07/2011 by William Murphy

• 5 Things Rift Does Wrong

  Rift has been in commercial release for nearly a month and we will be launching our official review very soon. In the meantime, MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy has detailed 5 Things Rift Does Right in last week's The List. This week, Bill takes a look at the flip side,discussing five things that could use some work. Check out today's version of The List and then leave a comment or two when you're through.

  Posted on 03/29/2011 by William Murphy

• Five Things Rift Did Right

  Rift has been in commercial release for nearly a month and we will be launching our official review very soon. In the meantime, MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy will be spending the next two editions of The List discussing both those things that Trion Worlds did right with Rift and those things that could use some work. Check out today's version of The List and then leave a comment or two when you're through.

  Posted on 03/22/2011 by William Murphy

• Finding Fun with Friends

  MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy is a fun guy and he likes to hang with friends in his favorite MMOs. Sometimes, however, that's not as easy as it might seem. Bill takes a look at finding friends in MMOs. He looks closely at Rift's open grouping and how simple it is to "find fun with friends". Check out Bill's thoughts and then let us know what you think.

  Posted on 03/10/2011 by William Murphy

• LFM

  Depending on your opinion, closed grouping in MMOs is either the best or worst feature in many games. In today's Player Perspectives, MMORPG.com columnist Isabelle Parsley has a few thoughts to share about open grouping and the (in)famous closed grouping in today's MMOs. Check it out and then offer a few comments of your own.

  Posted on 03/04/2011 by Isabelle Parsley

• Staff Impressions

  We wrap up our Rift Weekly today. As we did with DC Universe Online, we are offering a couple of MMORPG.com Staff Impressions of Trion Worlds' Rift. This time, Community Manager Mike Bitton and News Editor Suzie Ford throw out their thoughts about Rift. Keep your eye on this space next Thursday when we begin a new game weekly column.

  Posted on 03/03/2011 by William Murphy

• Five Facts About Launch Day

  Trion devs are pleased to announce the birth of its long awaited MMO, Rift. To celebrate the epic launch of one of the year's most keenly anticipated games, MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy reveals some of the truths about MMOs in general, and MMOs on launch day in particular. Check it out and then add to The List in the comments below.

  Posted on 03/01/2011 by William Murphy

• Head Start Journal

  Rift's head start program for players who preordered the game began yesterday. Included in the mob that flocked to Rift servers was MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy who is keeping a diary of his experiences during the pre-launch days leading up to March 1st. Check out why Bill is buried in a pile of turtles and more of his thoughts about the Rift Head Start. Let us know what you've experienced in the comments.

  Posted on 02/25/2011 by William Murphy

• The Dungeon Finder Brouhaha

  The Rift dungeon finder tool has caused a bit of schism, or at the very least a lot of heated debate, in the Rift community since its introduction recently. In today's column, MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy splits his personality to examine both sides of the issue and to offer a few thoughts about the controversy. Check it out and then weigh in with your thoughts in the comments below.

  Posted on 02/17/2011 by William Murphy

• The Bounty of Souls

  Many have claimed that Rift is not breaking much new MMO ground but are polishing the best of many other MMOs' features. In his Rift Weekly #2 column, MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy contends that the soul attunement system -is- ground breaking and breaks the stereotypical class system of other MMOs. Check out Bill's thoughts and then let us know what you think.

  Posted on 02/10/2011 by William Murphy

• Tradition Can Work

  While many MMOs in development spend a lot of time touting 'groundbreaking' features and innovation, not all do, preferring instead to polish and improve on that which works. Trion Worlds' Rift is a very polished, very traditional high-fantasy MMO and one that is attractive to those who actually like traditional high fantasy MMOs. MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy has a few things to say about why Rift is attractive to millions of fans. Check it out and then tell us what you think.

  Posted on 02/04/2011 by William Murphy

• A Year of Anticipation

  In his latest column for MMORPG.com, Bill Murphy virtually rubs his hands together at the prospects coming down the pike in 2011. Bill discusses the next three months and three games he's got a genuine interest in: DC Universe Online, Earthrise and Rift. And then, of course, there's TERA, SWTOR and Guild Wars 2 to look out for in 2011. Check out Bill's anticipatory thoughts about 2011 and then add your own thoughts in the comments below.

  Posted on 01/06/2011 by William Murphy

• Prognostications for 2011

  It's that time of year, the time when things wind down for the preceding twelve months, the time of reflection and the time for looking ahead to the coming year. In his latest MMORPG.com column, Bill Murphy prognosticates about 2011. Check out his thoughts and then add a few of your own in the comments section below.

  Posted on 12/30/2010 by William Murphy

• Working As Intended

  With the NDA lifted on Rift, MMORPG.com columnist Bill Murphy wrote a preview of his experiences in Telara. Reading the comments after, however, set Bill to wondering why it is that folks are surprised by what they've read from writers and fans across the web. What exactly is it that was expected and were those expectations misplaced? Check out Bill's thoughts and then let us know what you're thinking in the comments below.

  Posted on 12/23/2010 by William Murphy

• The Quiz

  The Quiz this week features several questions about Trion Worlds and its flagship MMO, Rift: Planes of Telara. MMORPG.com's Drew Wood has put on his thinking cap to deliver challenging questions. See how well you know Trion and Rift in The Quiz.

  Posted on 11/10/2010 by Drew Wood

• PAX Prime 2010

  MMORPG.com's Angie Webb recently had the opportunity to attend PAX Prime in Seattle, Washington. In today's article, Angie talks about PAX Prime and her impressions of several games as well as some general thoughts about PAX Prime and about the convention season. Check it out and then jump into the conversation on our forums.

  Posted on 09/21/2010 by Angie Webb

• Bill’s Best of E3 2010

  MMORPG's Bill Murphy spent a lot of time at this year's E3 perusing all the MMOs fans have been waiting to find out more about. That in mind, Bill has picked four games worthy of note. Find out which ones struck him as 'ones to watch' as 2010 moves along.

  Posted on 06/29/2010 by William Murphy